Taqwacore.
An ethnographic insight into the intersection of Punk, Islam and South Asian identity and its portrayal within society and societies
The audio paper provides an in-depth examination of Taqwacore, a distinctive genre and subculture that emerged within Punk Rock during the early 2000s. It combines personal reflection with critical analysis to unravel the essence of Taqwacore and its broader societal implications. Through personal introspection, I navigate the intricacies of Taqwacore, exploring its resonance with my own identity and experiences, offering a genuine and relatable insight into the subject matter.
In parallel, the paper scrutinizes the media representations of Taqwacore, revealing the ways in which it shaped perceptions and perpetuated racial discrimination. By dissecting these portrayals, I shed light on the colonial and cynical lenses through which cultural identities are often distorted and marginalized. At the heart of the paper lies the intersection of personal relatability and discriminatory experiences within the Taqwacore community and beyond. By delving into the lived realities of bands and individuals, the audio paper exposes the harsh realities of racial discrimination and cultural alienation.
In essence, the audio paper aims to explore Taqwacore as a vibrant cultural movement. Through its exploration of identity, representation, and discrimination, the paper invites listeners to engage in a thought-provoking journey into one of the most dynamic subcultures of our time. (The audio paper draws upon audio samples from the film The Taqwacores – specifically moments in which the main character Yusuf experiences moments of realisation – using an obscure aesthetic to draw comparisons between the character’s experiences and mine).
Bio
Yusuf Mahmood is a sound artist known for his intimate exploration of cultural themes and underrepresented narratives. His work with audio documentaries, installation art and music encompassed on topics such as the commercialization of Qawwali music, the Taqwacore movement, and South Asian identity. Through his audio papers, Yusuf crafts narratives that blend interviews, ambient sounds, and music to shed light on the experiences of marginalized communities and unheard voices. His installation work similarly invites introspection, using voice and multimedia elements to explore personal identity and amplify disenfranchised voices. Yusuf’s work aims to foster understanding, empathy and divergent ways of thinking – with a belief in the power of storytelling to provoke meaningful dialogue and reflection, inviting audiences to engage with the disconnect and the issues he addresses.
Bibliography
Asia Society, Music and Islam: A Deeper Look (2023)
Jyothsna S Bhat, The South Asian Mental Health Journey (2021) [online]
Maita, ‘Targeting Arab/Muslim/South Asian Americans: Criminalization and Cultural Citizenship’, Amerasia Journal, vol 31, no. 3, (2005): 1–27
Lydia Craft, Taqwacore: The Real Muslim Punk Underground, (2023)
Meghan Doherty, ‘Taqwacore is Dead. Long Live Taqwacore’ or punk’s not dead?: Studying the online evolution of the Islamic punk scene’, inThe Web as History: Using Web Archives to Understand the Past and the Present, ed. Niels Brügger, Ralph Schroeder (London: UCL Press, 2017)
Michael Muhammad Knight, The Taqwacores (London: Telegram Books, 2007), available at internet archives
Aline Macke, ‘Politics and Islam in the United States: The Taqwacore Approach‘, La Revue Française D’Études Américaines, Vol. 131, no. 1, (2023): 49–63
Omar Mayeed (dir.), The Birth of Punk Islam: Taqwacore, USA 2009, available on YouTube
John Charles Meyer, The Taqwacores – Behind the Scenes (2014)
Amy Mcdowell, ‘”This for the Brown Kids!”: Racialization and the Formation of “Muslim” Punk Rock‘, Sociology of Race and Ethnicity, vol. 3, no. 2, (2017): 159 –171
Axeman Oz, A. Muslim Punk – A Taqwacore Call to Prayer (2021)
Eyad Sahra (dir.), The Taqwacores, USA 2010, available at Apple TV
Nasia Sarwar-Skuse (2021), We are lady parts reminds us to celebrate real Muslim punk stories too (2021)
Saif Shahin, S. ‘The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Muslim: Media representations of “Islamic punk” through a postcolonial lens’, in Race and Contention in Twenty-first Century U.S. Media, ed. Jason Smith, Bhoomi K. Thakore, (New York: Routledge, 2017)